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Ervin J, LaMontagne AD, Taouk Y, King T. Trajectories of job insecurity and the probability of poorer mental health among prime working-age Australian women and men. Soc Sci Med 2024; 349:116902. [PMID: 38663146 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Precarious and insecure employment arrangements are important social determinants of health. Prior evidence has consistently found perceived job insecurity to be associated with poorer mental health. Nonetheless, several key under-researched areas remain in the existing evidence base. This study addresses some of these gaps by examining trajectories of job (in)security and assessing the effect of various persistent job security trajectories on subsequent mental health of both men and women. Utilising 15 waves of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, we employed group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) to identify trajectories of job (in)security through men and women's prime working years (from baseline age of 28-38yrs to 41-51yrs) across 14 years (waves 5-18), before subsequently examining the associations between these estimated trajectories and mental health at wave 19 (aged 42-52yrs). We identified four distinct trajectories of job (in)security for both men and women: persistently secure, becoming more secure, becoming less secure, and persistently insecure. Examining the association between these trajectories and mental health, we found that chronic exposure to any amount of persistent job insecurity (improving, worsening or persistently insecure) is detrimental to the mental health of both men and women. Furthermore, a somewhat incremental or dose dependant effect was found, with persistent job insecurity associated with the largest declines in mental health scores. Given mental health disorders are a substantial cause of disability globally, our study provides evidence that developing policy and practice interventions to reduce job insecurity (as an increasingly recognised and highly modifiable social determinant of mental health) has considerable potential to enact positive population health improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Ervin
- Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Anthony D LaMontagne
- Institute for Health Transformation & School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yamna Taouk
- Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tania King
- Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Yeboah Asiamah-Asare BK, Peprah P, Adu C, Ahinkorah BO, Addo IY. Associations of nuptiality perceptions, financial difficulties, and socio-demographic factors with mental health status in Australian adults: Analysis of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296941. [PMID: 38354107 PMCID: PMC10866460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the association of nuptial/relationship factors, financial difficulties, and socio-demographic factors with the mental health status of Australian adults. DESIGN Cross-sectional quantitative study design. SETTINGS, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey wave 19, 6846 adults were included in the analysis. Mental health was measured using the mental component summary (MCS) subscale of the Short-Form Health Survey SF-36. Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were used to examine the predictors of mental health status. RESULTS Overall, 7.1% of the participants reported poor mental health status. Individual financial difficulty factors explained 3.2% (p<0.001) of the variance in mental health scores. In addition, financial difficulties were negatively associated with mental health status. Nuptiality and relationship factors accounted for 9.8% (p<0.001) of the variance in mental health status. CONCLUSION The study suggests negative marital or relationship perceptions and financial difficulties are significant factors accounting for poor mental health. This finding suggests the need for more policy attention toward the social determinants of poor mental health especially nuptiality or relationship perceptions which have received less policy and research attention in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Kwadwo Yeboah Asiamah-Asare
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Prince Peprah
- Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Collins Adu
- Department of Health Promotion, Education and Disability Studies, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Centre for Social Research in Health; UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Isaac Yeboah Addo
- Centre for Social Research in Health; UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Truchon M, Gilbert-Ouimet M, Zahiriharsini A, Beaulieu M, Daigle G, Langlois L. Occupational Health and Well-being Questionnaire (OHWQ): an instrument to assess psychosocial risk and protective factors in the workplace. Public Health 2022; 210:48-57. [PMID: 35870321 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Psychosocial stressors at work have been identified as significant risk factors for several mental and physical health problems. These stressors must be compensated by psychosocial resources to prevent or reduce adverse effects on health. Questionnaires measuring these stressors and resources already exist, but none integrate digital stress, ethical culture, and psychosocial safety climate; factors that are increasingly linked to workers' health. This study aims to develop and establish the psychometric properties of one of the most comprehensive instruments measuring the psychosocial work environment to date: the Occupational Health and Well-being Questionnaire (OHWQ). STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional validation study is proposed to develop the OHWQ and document its psychometric properties. METHODS The OHWQ was developed from validated instruments to which new items were added. The questionnaire includes psychosocial dimensions, along with indicators of psychological distress, musculoskeletal disorders, and well-being. It was administered to a sample of 2770 participants from a population working in the academic field. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and the calculation of Cronbach's α coefficient were used to identify the variables, items, and, dimensions of the OHWQ and to document its main psychometric properties. RESULTS The acceptability of the measurement model was evaluated by the reliability of the items, internal consistency between the items, and the convergent and discriminant validity. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Using factor analyses and cut-off rules, the new instrument has 124 items grouped into 22 dimensions. The OHWQ demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, as well as reasonable fit indices. The internal consistency of the scales was also good (Cronbach's α = 0.68-0.96, median = 0.85). CONCLUSION The OHWQ demonstrated good psychometric properties. It could be useful for both research purposes and for workplaces interested in developing concrete action plans aimed at improving the balance between psychosocial work stressors and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Truchon
- School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Quebec City, QC G1M 2S8, Canada.
| | - M Gilbert-Ouimet
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 1595 Boulevard Alphonse-Desjardins, Lévis, QC G6V 0A6, Canada; CHU de Québec-Laval University Research Center, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Quebec City, QC G1S 4L8, Canada
| | - A Zahiriharsini
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 1595 Boulevard Alphonse-Desjardins, Lévis, QC G6V 0A6, Canada; CHU de Québec-Laval University Research Center, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy, Quebec City, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.
| | - M Beaulieu
- Nursing Faculty, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - G Daigle
- Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - L Langlois
- Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Zhang N, Wang Y, Yu H, Zhang Y, Xiang F, Jiang H, Zheng Y, Xiong Y, Wang Z, Chen Y, Jiang Q, Shao Y, Zhou Y. Distance to highway and factory density related to lung cancer death and associated spatial heterogeneity in effects in Jiading District, Shanghai. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:64536-64551. [PMID: 34312750 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15438-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the spatial effects of traffic- and industrial-related pollution on the mortality for lung cancer (LC). We conducted a retrospective cohort study by using the data from LC registry in Jiading District for the period from 2002 to 2012. Standard parametric model with Weibull distribution was used for spatial survival analysis. Shorter distance to highway (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.30) and higher factory density (aOR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.37) were significantly associated with an increased risk of LC death, and there was a spatial difference in the associations between northern and southern areas of Jiading District. The risk was high in suburbs as compared with urban areas. Traffic- and industrial-related pollution were significantly associated with an increased risk of LC death, which showed a spatial variation. Further studies are needed to better understand the current LC status in the suburbs and to reduce health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhang
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yingjian Wang
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hongjie Yu
- The Jiading District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Yiying Zhang
- The Jiading District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Fang Xiang
- The Jiading District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Honglin Jiang
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yingyan Zheng
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhengzhong Wang
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yue Chen
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Qingwu Jiang
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yueqin Shao
- The Jiading District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 201800, China.
| | - Yibiao Zhou
- Fudan University School of Public Health, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Fudan University Center for Tropical Disease Research, Building 8, 130 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Taouk Y, Spittal MJ, Disney G, LaMontagne AD. Changes in Job Control and Perceptions of General Health: A Longitudinal Analysis of Australian Workers, 2005 to 2017. J Occup Environ Med 2021; 63:813-820. [PMID: 33990529 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This longitudinal study of Australian workers explores a possible causal relationship between job control and general health. METHODS Our sample included 105,017 observations (18,574 persons) over 13 annual waves from working age participants with information on job control, general health, and other sociodemographic and health factors. Three complementary longitudinal modeling approaches were used to explore the causal relationship. RESULTS There was a strong stepwise, mostly exposure to outcome, relationship between increasing job control and general health. Cumulative exposure to low job control resulted in increasingly worse general health. Taken together, these findings provide good evidence of a causal relationship between low job control and general health. CONCLUSION This analysis with improved causal inference over previous research showed that change in job control is strongly associated with change in general health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamna Taouk
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne (Dr Taouk, Dr Spittal, Dr Disney, Mr LaMontagne); School of Health & Social Development, Determinants of Health Research Domain, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong (Mr LaMontagne), Victoria, Australia
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Atalay K, Edwards R, Schurer S, Ubilava D. Lives saved during economic downturns: Evidence from Australia. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2021; 30:2452-2467. [PMID: 34268828 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, countries have been restricting work and social activities to counter the emerging public health crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic. These measures have caused dramatic increases in unemployment. Some commentators argue that the "draconian measures" will do more harm than good due to the economic contraction, despite a large literature that finds mortality rates decline during recessions. We estimate the relationship between unemployment, a proxy for economic climate, and mortality in Australia, a country with universal health care. Using administrative time-series data on mortality by state, age, sex, and cause of death for 1979-2017, we find no relationship between unemployment and mortality on average. However, we observe beneficial health effects in economic downturns for young men, associated with a reduction in transport accidents. Our estimates imply 431 fewer deaths in 2020 if unemployment rates double as forecast. For the early 1980s, we find a procyclical pattern in infant mortality rates. However, this pattern disappears starting from the mid-1980s, coincident with the 1984 implementation of universal health care. Our results suggest that universal health care may insulate individuals from the health effects of macroeconomic fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kadir Atalay
- The University of Sydney, School of Economics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca Edwards
- The University of Sydney, School of Economics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stefanie Schurer
- The University of Sydney, School of Economics, Sydney, Australia
- IZA Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David Ubilava
- The University of Sydney, School of Economics, Sydney, Australia
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